Shutter-type valve mechanism

ABSTRACT

In association with a dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container which has a discharge orifice in a body surface, there is provided a closure member movable relative to the surface. When the closure member is in position for occluding the orifice an arrangement causes the closure member to bear against or be pressed down on the orifice into fluid sealing relationship. In one form of the invention the closure member approaches the orifice with a wedging action while in another form it is spring biased towards the orifice. In another form an interference fit is developed between the closure member and the surface surrounding the orifice.

United States Patent [19] Davenport [111 3,752,370 [451 Aug. 14, 1973 [52] US. Cl. 222/514 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6k 23/00 [58] Field of Search 222/514, 512, 518,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1964 Tuttle 222/518 X 6/1971 Gailitis....

7/1935 Sargent... 12/1954 Ashton 222/514X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney-Joseph T. Kivlin, Jr. and Thomas A. Hodge [57] ABSTRACT In association with a dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container which has a discharge orifice in a body surface, there is provided a closure member movable relative to the surface. When the closure member is in position for occluding the orifice an arrangement causes the clo sure member to bear against or be pressed down on the orifice into fluid sealing relationship. In one form of the invention the closure member approaches the orifice with a wedging action while in another form it is spring biased towards the orifice. In another form an interference fit is developed between the closure member and the surface surrounding the orifice. 5

8 Claims, 30 Drawing Figures.

Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,370

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v/xa y l i I Patented Aug. 14, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 QN NS 05 QNN 7m NnN mmw Ll 1 SIIUTTER-TYPE VALVE MECHANISM The present invention relates to dispensing valves for controlling the outflow of the contents from pressurized containers, and, more particularly, to that class of valves oftentimes referred to as the aerosol type.

In a pressurized container the contents are under high pressure and are discharged therefrom under the control of a suitable valve. Some valves rely upon the pressure in the container for perfecting the sea] by acting in a closing direction on the valve shut-off member. Other valves operate wholly independent of content pressure. It is the latter class of valves to which the present invention is directed.

Where an orifice is adjustably occluded by a shutter type valve closure member it is necessary to provide contact between the closure member and the mouth of the orifice free from any gaps through which fluid material can escape. This has in the past required adherence to close tolerances in manufacture in order to guarantee a satisfactory seal when the orifice is occluded by the closure member.

One object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a family of valves with relatively slideable closure members which, due to the specific construction, are not dependent upon maintaining close tolerances in the manufacture of the component parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing valve with improved sealing characteristics, which is non-clogging, is not characterized by drooling, is easy to manufacture, and in other ways avoids the disadvantages of prior art valves.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container is provided with a body member containing a passage terminating at one end at a surface of the body in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of the container. A closure member is provided which is movable relative to said surface between respective positions exposing and occluding the orifice. The closure member when in the position for occluding the orifce is provided with means for bearing against and sealing the orifice. Provision is made for manipulating the closure member. In addition, provision is made for causing the means for sealing the orifice to bear against the orifice when the closure member is manipulated to the orifice occluding position. In one form of the invention, the closure member approaches the orifice with a wedging action. In another form of the invention, the closure member is spring biased towards the orifice. In still another form of the invention, an interference fit is developed between the closure member and the surface surrounding the orifice. While the invention may take many forms, all of the embodiments thereof are characterized by an arrangement for causing the closure member to bear against or be pressed down on the orifice into fluid sealing relationship.

The invention will be bettwer understood after reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention in the form of a depressible button type valve closure;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1 showing the valve in closed position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the valve in partially open condition;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical elevational view of another depressible button type embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view through another type of depressible valve closure embodying the invention;

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a dispensing valve embodying the invention wherein the actuating member is arranged for lateral translational manipulation;

FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10 showing the valve in closed condition;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the valve in open condition;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view with a portion broken away of a further embodiment of the invention wherein the manipulating member is subjected to rotational movement;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 14-14 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the valve of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 16-16 in FIG. 13 showing the valve in closed condition;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 but showing the valve in open condition;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary exploded view showing the construction of the manipulating member of the valve of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a still further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 20-20 in FIG. 19 showing the valve in closed condition;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 but showing the valve in open condition;

FIG. 22 is a vertical sectional view through a valve representing a modification of the valve of FIG. 19 wherein the manipulating member is subjected to rotary movement;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line 23-23 in FIG. 22 showing the valve in closed condition;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 22 but showing the valve in open condition;

FIG. 25 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of the valve of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a further depressible button type embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 27-27 in FIG. 26 showing the valve in closed condition;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 29 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 29-29 in FIG. 28; and

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a detail in the construction of the valve of FIG. 28.

Throughout the figures of the drawings the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar parts.

Referring now to FIGS. ll through 4, a dispensing valve designated generally by the reference numeral is shown mounted upon a typical pressurized container 11. The container 11 may be provided in known manner with a conventional primary valve having an upstanding tubular stem 12, best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is to be understood that the primary valve is of the type which opens upon downward motion of the stem 12 relative to the top of the can 11.

The dispensing valve 110 has a tubular body member 13 containing a passage l4 terminating at one end at a surface 15 in a discharge orifice 16. The other end of the passage 14 is arranged for communicating with the contents of the container through an internal cavity 17 which telescopingly receives the stem 12 of the primary valve. A closure member represented by the lower skirt portion 18 of a tubular element 19 mates telesopingly with the body member 13 for movement relative thereto and relative to the surface 15 between positions exposing and occluding the orifice l6. As best seen in FIG. 2, the closure member 18 is in the occluding position while in FIG. 3 it has moved far enough to expose the orifice through the aperture 20. A cap element 21 having a skirt 22 with a radially inwardly directed protuberance 23 snaps over and interlocks with the radially outwardly directed shoulder 24 on the member 19. A compression spring 25 is positioned between the cap 21 and the body member 13 located relative thereto by the respective annular shoulders 26 and 27. A vertical rib 28 on one interior sidewall of the member 19 cooperates with a keyway 29 in the body member 13. The internal surface of the closure portion 18 of the element 19 is frusto-conical in configuration complementary to the frusto-conical contour of the body member 13. The inclination of the walls in the frusto-conical area may be of the order one degree from the vertical, an inclination just sufficient to provide for a forceful interference fit between the parts when the parts are in position shown in FIG. 2 while not depending upon any precision in the fabrication of the parts. A plurality of protuberances 30 at the lower end of the skirt portion 18 cooperate with a shoulder 31 on the body member 13 for retention thereof within the member 19. As best seen in FIG. 4, the sidewall of the body member 13 is relieved in the regions 32 and 33 on either side of the orifice 16 in order to ensure proper centering of the body member within the outer member 19 when the valve is in the closed condition. It will be appreciated that the cap 21 provides means for manipulating the closure member 18 relative to the orifice 16. The spring 25 is chosen relative to the force required to open the primary valve of the container 11 such that the cap structure 21 and 19 must be depressed until the shoulders 26 and 27 contact at which time orifice 16 is fully exposed by aperture 26) before sufficient pressure can be applied to the primary valve stem 12 to open same.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 there is shown a modified valve somewhat similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. A generally cylindrical tubular body member 35 telescopingly mates with the cylindrical section 36 of a cap structure having a snap-on cap 37. The cap 37 is secured to the cylindrical portion 36 by interlocking shoulders in the same manner as the cap 21 in FIGS. 2 and 3. A vertical rib 37 on one side of the body member 35 rides in a keyway 38 in the member 36 for preventing relative rotation therebetween. The spring 39 maintains the cap structure including the elements 36 and 37 in the normally closed position shown in FIG. 6. A resilient arm 40, forming a part of the closure member 36, has at its upper end a bulbous or spheoidal protrusion 41 for cooperating with a recess 42 surrounding the orifice 43. The radius of the recess 42 is somewhat greater than that of the protrusion 41 to create a capillary thus allowing product to be drawn around the protrusion to provide an air tight seal. The orifice 43 is at one end of the passage 44 which leads to the inner tubular cavity 45. The cavity 45 is designed to telescope over a primary valve stem such as the stem 12 shown in'FIGS. 2 and 3. The cap structure 36 has an aperture 46 which in the closed position of the valve assembly as shown in FIGS. 6 is isolated from the passage 44 by the end 41 of the resilient arm 40 which bears against and seals the orifice 43. when the top 37 of the valve assembly is depressed against the force of the spring 39, the end 41 of the arm 40 will ride out of the depression 42 in the body member 35 exposing the orifice 43. The orifice 43 will be fully exposed through aperture 46 before the shoulders 47 and 48 on the cap member and the body member, respectively, engage. Further depression of the cap 37 will cause the primary valve with which it is associated to open discharging material through the exposed passage 44 and the aperture 46. A plurality of protuberances, such as the protuberance 49, limits the movement of the body member 35 relative to the element 36. It will be appreciated that the spring biased detent action between the arm 40 and the depression 42 in the body member 35 will function satisfactorily without particular concern with tolerances in manufacture of the component parts.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown another valve embodiment having frusto-conical cooperating surfaces. The valve differs from the preceding valves in that the valve of FIGS. 7 and 8 is arranged to function as a primary valve establishing a seal against the full container pressure. A body member 50 is provided with a radial flange portion 51 which, in turn, can be secured within the top 52 of a pressure container in any convenient manner such as by the spun rib 53 or a conventional crimp. A gasket 54 is provided for ensuring a satisfactory fluid seal with respect to the contents of the container. A passage 55 terminates at one end at surface 56 in a discharge orifice 57. The other end of the passage 55 communicates with the internal bore 58 within the body member 50 for communicating with the contents of the container.

A closure member in the form of a spring biased cap structure 59 is telescoped over the tubular body member 50. The cap structure 59 contains a circumferential slot 60 extending for a short distance around the structure in juxtaposition to the orifice 57 when the cap structure occupies the orifice occluding position shown in FIG. 7. An elastic band 61 surrounds the cap structure 59 lying in the slot 60 so as to project in the vicinity of the slot into the interior of the cap structure where it encounters the sidewall 56 of the body member 50.

It will be observed from FIG. 8 that at least the portion surrounding the orifice 57 is longitudinally tapered along an element passing through the orifice, i.e., frusto-conical, with portions relieved at 62 and 63. The cap structure 59 is provided with the radial flange 64 which cooperates with a flange 65 on the container cap 52 for preventing withdrawal thereof. A spring 66 biases the structure 59 in the upward position as seen in FIG. 7. In this position the band 61 is wedged against the orifice 57, as shown. Since the slot 60 is limited in its circumferential extent, the band 61 where it overlies the orifice 57 will be released from the orifice with movement of the cap structure in the downward direction in view of the taper of the surface 56. This is due to the fact that the limited extent of the slot 60 restricts the radially inward movement of the band 61. An aperture or port 67 is provided in the cap structure 59 immediately above the band 61 where it will come into registration with the orifice 57 upon downward movement of the cap structure 59. Thus, when the cap structure 59 is depressed, the band 61 will wipe along the surface 56 until it exposes the orifice 57 which will now discharge through the port 67. Upon releasing the structure 59, the spring 66 will return it to the upward position causing the band 61 to tightly wedge against and close off the orifice 57. The band 61 may be formed from any suitable elastomeric material. If desired, an inelastic girdle or reinforcement may be placed around the outer circumference of the band 61 to restrict the radially outward expansion thereof.

In FIGS. 9 to 12, to which attention is now directed, a somewhat different valve is disclosed. As will be seen from the following discussion, the valve relies on a wedging action but employes a laterally translating manipulating member rather than the vertically depressible push button. The valve is provided with a body member 70 having a cavity 71 bounded by two parallel sidewalls 72 and 73. A passage 74 in the body member 70 terminates at one end of the sidewall 72 in a discharge orifice 75. The other end of the passage 74 is arranged for communicating with the contents of the container 76. The body member 70 is disposed within a cylindrical portion 77 of the container and retained therein by the radial flange 78. An annular protuberance or bead 79 on the inner wall of the portion 77 retains the body member 70 therein.

A port 80 is provided in the body member 70 extending between the exterior wall 81 and the sidewall 73 of the cavity 71. The port 80 is substantially in line with the orifice 75.

A closure member 82 is provided with a first face 83 in sliding contact with the sidewall 72 of the body member 70 movable between respective positions exposing and occluding the orifice 75. An actuator member 84 is provided with a cavity 85 for receiving the closure member 82. Tile actuator member 84 is sandwiched between the closure member 82 and the sidewall 73 in the cavity 71.

The actuator member 84 is provided with a lost motion interconnection with the closure member 82. This interconnection is established by the fingers 86 and 87, best seen in FIG. 10, which engage the closure member 82 within the recesses 88 and 89, respectively. A flared passage 90 through the actuator member 84 communicates with the cavity 85 therein. Also in communication with the passage 90 is a passage 91 through the closure member 82. The cavity 85 in the actuator member 84 and the closure member 82 are provided with complementary tapered surfaces 92 and 93, respectively. The tapered surfaces 92 and 93 are arranged to interfere and wedge the closure member 82 against the sidewall 72 of the cavity in the body member to seal the orifice when the closure member 82 is moved into orifice occluding position and the actuator member 84 is urged in the same direction.

The actuator member 84 is urged in the valve closing direction by the spring 94. The wedging action is released when the actuator member 84 is moved relative to the closure member 82 in the opposite direction (valve opening) against the action of the spring 94. This occurs before the lost motion coupling imparts translatory motion to the closure member 82. This action is best observed by compaing FIG. 11 representing the closed position with FIG. 12 representing the open position of the valve.

As seen in FIG. 11, the fingers 86 and 87 of the actuator member 84 bear against a key or pin element 95 passing laterally through the body member 70. Key 95 retains the actuator and closure members within the cavity 71. A small leaf spring 96 is interposed between the actuator member 84 and the closure member 82 to maintain the tapered surfaces 92 and 93 disengaged until movement of the closure member to the right as viewed in the drawings is interrupted by its engagement with the key 95. The spring 94 should be strong enough to overcome the resistance of spring 96 and cause the surfaces 92 and 93 to wedge.

Suitable sealing or gasketing material may be inset at 97 within the closure member 82. As seen in FIG. 12, the passages 80, 90 and 91 come into registration with each other and with the orifice 75 when the valve is manipulated to open position. As seen in FIG. 11, the valve is in closed position with the closure member sealing the orifice 75.

In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 12, the actuating member and the closure member both move with translatory motion relative to the body member. The valve shown with reference to FIGS. 13 through 18 to which attention is now directed differs from the preceding valve inthat the parts are arranged for rotational movement. The similarity in operation and construction with the valve previously described should be readily apparent from the following description.

A cap 100 telescopingly mates with a pedestal 101 to form a body member designated generally by the reference numeral 102. The cap 100 is provided with a vertical keyway 103 along a sidewall which mates with a rib 104 on the pedestal 101 to prevent relative rotation. The beaded edge 105 at the lower end of the cap 100 interengages with a groove 106 in the sidewall of the pedestal 101 to locate the parts axially. The cap 100 is provided in its sidewall with a slot 107 extending for a short distance circumferentially thereof. The slot 107, when the cap is assembled to the pedestal, as best seen in FIG. 14, provides access to a cavity 108 bounded by two parallel sidewalls 109 and 1 10. The sidewall 109 is the top surface of the pedestal 101 while the sidewall 110 is the undersurface of the cap 100.

A passage 111 in the body member 102, physically located in the upper wall of the pedestal 101 near one side thereof, terminates at the surface 109 in a discharge orifice 112. The other end of the passage 111 is arranged for communicating with the contents of a pressure container through the interior of the pedestal 101 which through a radial flange 113 is arranged to be secured in the top of a can 114 by a bead 115. A fluid seal is ensured by a gasket 116.

A port 117 is located in the cap 100 extending from an exterior wall of the body member to the interior sidewall 110. The port 117, in the assembled structure of FIG. 14, is in line with the orifice 112. Two disk shaped members, 118 and 119, are disposed side-byside within the cavity 108 sandwiched between the sidewalls 109 and 110 in coplanar relationship. The disk-like members or planar members 118 and 119 are rotatable within their respective planes relative to the cavity 108 and relative to each other. The element 1 18 is provided with a triangular aperture 120 which cooperates with a triangular rib 121 on the element 119 to provide a lost motion interconnection therebetween. It will be appreciated from FIG. 13 that the rib 121 has a lesser circumferential dimension than the aperture 120 in order to provide for the lost motion mentioned above. The element 118 is provided with a circular opening 122 while the element 119 is provided with an aperture 123 which passes through the element and through a seal establishing gasket 124 inserted in the lower face thereof. For a purpose to be described, the upper surface of the element 118 is formed with a shallow ramp or tapered zone 124 adjacent one side of the opening 122 and best seen in FIGS. 16 and 17. A complementally tapered zone or ramp 125 is provided on the underside of the upper wall of the cap 100, i.e., on the sidewall 110, adjacent the port 1 17. This also is best seen in FIGS. 16 and 17.

In the assembled condition of the valve, a return spring 126 disposed in an annular slot 127 in the element 1 19 cooperates with the lugs or ears 128 and 129, respectively, on the pedestal 101 and the element 118. The lug 129 depends from the undersurface of the element 118 and enters the slot 127 to engage one end of the spring 126. The spring 126 thereby acts upon the element 118 to bias it into the valve closing position.

FIG. 16 shows the relationship of the various component parts when the valve is closed. The disk 118 is provided with a lever extension 130 which, in the assembled condition of the valve, projects through the slot 107 to the exterior thereof. When it is desired to open the valve the lever 130 may be manipulated in the clockwise direction as viewed from the top of the valve, best seen in FIG. 13. Due to the lost motion resulting from the difference in dimension of the aperture 120 and wedge 121, the disk 118 will first rotate by itself disengaging the wedging surfaces 124 and 125. This removes pressure from the closure member or disk 119. After a short rotational movement of the disk 118, the wedge 121 will be engaged by the appropriate wall of the aperture 120 to impart movement to the closure member disk 119 bringing the aperture 123 into registration with the orifice 1 12. The parts will now be in the position shown in FIG. 17.

When the lever 130 is released the return spring 126 acting on the lug 129 will rotate the disk 118 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed from. the top. Due to the lost motion between the wedge 121 and aperture 120 the disk 118 will rotate for a short distance by itself until the wedge and aperture assume the position shown in FIG. 13 whereupon the disk 119 will be rotated until the orifice 1 12 is occluded by the seal 124. At a point near the end of the rotational movement after the seal overlies the orifice 112, the wedging surfaces 124 and will engage applying pressure to the disk 119 to urge it against the upper surface 109 of the pedestal 101.

As shown in FIG. 18, the lever is formed as a separate component in order that it may be interconnected with the disk 118 after the disks 118 and 119 are installed within the cap 100. Slight protuberances 131 and 132 on opposite sidewalls of the lever are arranged to interengage suitable dimples in the disk 118 such as the one shown at 133.

Turning now to FIGS. 19, 20 and 21, of the drawings, there is shown another primary type valve. A body portion 135 is provided with a radial flange 136 for mounting same on a suitable pressurized container by means of a gasket 135a and a container pedestal 135b crimped as shown. The method of mounting may be similar to that shown in FIG. 14. A suitable rubber or other elastomeric insert 137 is secured within a recess in the top of the body portion 135. Collectively, the body portion 135 and insert 137 will be referred to as a body member. A bore 138 through the insert 137 and a bore 139 through the body portion 135 cooperate to form a first passage through the body member terminating at one end at a surface of the body member in a discharge orifice 140. The other end of the passage thereformed is arranged for communicating with the contents of the container to which the valve is secured. A closure member 141 having a cut-out portion 142 is arranged to be movable relative to the surface 143 surrounding the orifzce between positions occluding and exposing the orifice as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, respectively. It should be observed that the surface 143 on the insert 137 is normally spherical when the valve is open as seen in FIG. 21. However, the closure member 141 is located relative to the surface 143 such that a slight interference fit or compression is developed when the valve is closed as shown in FIG. 20. By virtue of the compression, the orifice is effectively sealed and such seal will be established without close tolerance control in manufacture.

An actuator member in the form of a plunger or transverse slide 144 is mounted passing completely through the body member and intersecting the bore 138 of the through passage. One end of the slide 144 is provided with a finger engageable button 145 secured thereto by through pin 146. A compression spring 147 located under the button 145 biases the actuator member 144 to the position shown in FIG. 20. The opposite end of the slide 144 is secured at 148 to the closure member 141. A passage 149 passes transversely through a part of the slide 144 where it can be brought into registration with the bore 138 when the slide is manipulated to the valve opening position as shown in FIG. 21. The passage 149 should'be located relative to the aperture or cut-out 142 in the closure member 141 such that the closure member exposes the orifice 140 before the passage 149 intercepts the bore 138.- Thus, the passage constituted by the bores 138 and 139 is opened only when the orifice 140 is exposed.

As mentioned above, interference between the closure member 141 and the top of the insert 137 when the valve is closed will slightly compress the elastomeric material. This not only establishes an effective seal at the interface between the closure member and the orifice 140 but compresses the elastomeric material about the slide 144 to establish an effective seal through the bore 138.

While the valve shown in FIGS. 19, and 21 employs a transverse slide, the same principle may be incorporated in a rotary type valve as shown with reference to FIGS. 22, 23 and 24, to which attention is now directed. A body portion having a generally cylindrical outer surface 151 and a neck 152 leading to any suitable configuration for securing the valve to a container is provided with an elastomeric insert 153. A through passage through the body member thereby formed is provided by the bore 154 and the bore 155. Bore 154 terminates in an orifice 156 at the upper spherical surface 157 in the elastomeric insert 153. The opposite end of the passage via bore is arranged in suitable manner for communication with the contents of the pressure container.

A cylindrical closure member 158 constituted by the side wall of a cylindrical cap 159 is interfitted with the body portion 150 as best seen in FIG. 23. The cap 159 has formed integral therewith a shaft 160 extending transversely through the body member concentric with the cylindrical outer surface thereof. The free end of shaft 160 is staked at 161 to a cover member 162. A spiral or coil spring 163 is mounted around the shaft 160 biasing the closure member 158 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 22. An integral extension 164 projecting from the closure member 158 constitutes an actuating lever for manual manipulation of the closure member 158 in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 22.

A passage 165 transversely transpierces the shaft 160 in a plane passing through the common axes of the bores 154 and 155. As best seen in FIG. 22, the passage 165 is out of registration with the bore 154 blocking the passage therethrough. At the same time, the closure member 158 seals the orifice 156 slightly compressing the surface 157 of the elastomeric material. When the valve is manipulated to the position shown in FIG. 24 a port 166 in the closure member 158 is brought into registration with the orifice 156 as the passage 165 is brought into registration with the bore 154. The relative location of the port 166 and the inclination of the passage 165 in the shaft 160 are selected such that the orifice 156 is fully exposed before the passage 165 opens the bore 154. Thus, it will be observed that the operation of the valve shown in FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 is identical in principle to the operation of the valve shown in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21.

The valve shown in FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 makes use of the interference between a closure member and an elastomeric body. A somewhat similar effect can be achieved by imparting elasticity to the closure member rather than to the body member. A valve based upon this principle is shown in FIG. 25. The body member includes a pedestal 170 and an overlying cap 171 secured together by radial flanges 172 and 173, respectively, in the top 174 of a pressure can. A gasket 175 is interposed between the two flanges 172 and 173 for fluid sealing in known manner.

A through passage is provided in the body member by a bore 176 leading to a bore 177. The bore 177 terminates at one end in an orifice 178 in a cylindrical surface 179. The other end of the bore 177 communicates through bore 176 with the interior of the container.

A shaft 180 is disposed transversely through the body parts 170 and 171, passing through the passage formed by bores 177 and 176. A transverse passage 181 crosses the shaft 180 to cooperate with the bores 176 and 177 in a manner similar to that described with reference to the previous valve embodiment. Extending laterally from the shaft 180 is a lever arm 182 provided with an integral extension or closure member 183. The extension 183 has a cylindrical inner surface 184 for overriding with a detent action the cylindrical surface 179 on the cap member 171. A biasing spring 184 biases the lever arm 182 in the upward direction towards the valve closed position. When the end 185 of the lever 182 is manipulated downwardly the extension 183 will ride over the surface 179 exposing the orifice 178 just prior to the passage 181 coming into registration with the bores 176 and 177 to open the valve. If necessary, suitable elastomeric sealing elements such as 186 and 187 may be disposed adjacent the shaft 180 in known manner.

Now turning to FIGS. 26 and 27, the valve therein is seen to comprise a body portion 190 with an elastomeric insert 191 inserted in the side thereof. The member 191 is provided with a transverse passage or bore 192 terminating at one end at the surface 193 in an orifice 194. The other end of the passage 192 intersects a vertical passage 195 in the body portion 190. The passage 195 communicates with the interior of the pressure container to which the body portion 190 is secured by radial flange 196 in conventional manner.

A rod-like plunger 197 concentric with the passage 195 is mounted for vertical movement within the passage 195 as shown. Plunger 197 has a longitudinal bore 198 leading from its lower end inwardly towards a transverse bore 199. The upper end of the shaft 197 is staked at 200 to a caplike closure member 201 having a skirt portion 202 which surrounds the body member and, in the position shown in FIG. 27, seals the orifice 194.

A longitudinal slot 203 in the closure member 201, best seen in FIG. 26, may be brought into registration with the orifice 194 by depressing the cap 201 against the biasing force of compression spring 204. When the cap 201 is depressed the skirt closure member portion 202 moves below the orifice 194 exposing the orifice through the slot 203. With further movement, the transverse passage 199 is brought into registration with the bore 192 to provide a through passage from the container via passage 195, bore 198, passage 199 and bore 192 to the orifice 194. It will be seen that the radially outer surface of the body containing the orifice 194 is substantially cylindrical and that the closure member 202 is also cylindrical. The actuator member in the form of shaft 197 passes through the body member parallel to the cylindrical surface. The closure member 202 is joined to the shaft 197 for conjoint translation along a path parallel to both the outer cylindrical surface of the body member and the shaft 197. The closure member 202 should make an interference fit with the surface 193 of the insert 191 in order to establish an effective seal as shown in FIG. 27 without relying on close tolerances. 7

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 28, 29 and 30. As shown therein, the valve has a valve body portion 210 provided with a radial flange 211 by which it is mounted in the top of a pressurized container 212 with a sealing gasket 213 interposed therebetween. The mounting arrangement may be of a known configuration enabling the container to be pressure filled by forcing the contents into the container past the gasket 213 and through apertures or the like in the flange 211.

A ring 214 force-fitted into a cavity 215 in the body portion 210 retains therein an elastomeric insert 216, as shown. The insert 216 is provided with a. through passage 217 leading to a discharge orifice 218 at the upper domed or spherical surface 219. The inner end of the passage 217 communicates with the cavity 215 and with the contents of the container. A closure member in the form of a wedge shaped plate 220 is arranged to slide between the surface 219 of the insert 216 and an overhanging portion 221 of the body portion 210. The overhanging portion 221 is provided with a cut-out 222 in line with the orifice 218. The wedge shaped plate 220 is provided with a similar cut-out 223 which ensures that when the closure member 220 is withdrawn to expose the orifice 218 through the cut-out portion 223 a sufficient length of the closure member remains disposed under the overhanging portion 221 to prevent dislocation thereof.

For manipulating the closure member, there is provided an actuator member 224 which is detachable from the closure member 220 and removable therefrom. Because of the wedging action of the wedge shaped plate 220 under the overhanging portion 221, the plate 220 will be independently retained within the body portion 210. Prior to assembly of the actuator member the container can be pressure filled by applying a pressure head over the body portion 210 in known manner. After filling, the actuator member including the U-shaped frame 225, the biasing spring 226 and the manipulating plate 227 is snapped over the top of the body portion 210 until the side ribs 228 and 229 lodge in the grooves 230 and 231, respectively, best seen in FIG. 30. At the same time the trapezoidal rib 231 and channel 232 will interengage with the rib 233 and channet 234 on the plate 220. Thereafter, the valve may be opened by pressing the actuating member 224 to impart sliding movement to the plate 220 separating it from its wedged position under the overhanging portion 221 and exposing the orifice 218. When the lever 224 is released the biasing spring 226 will return it with the closure member 220 to the sealed position shown in FIG. 29.

it should now be apparent that all of the valves described with reference to the appended drawings are characterized by components arranged to wedge or interfere in order to establish a suitable seal without requiring parts to be manufactured to close tolerances. in describing the various embodiments of the valve various surfaces surrounding the discharge orifices have been referred to as being spherical. It should be understood that such surfaces may be otherwise rounded or configured so long as the general cooperative relationship with the closure member is retained. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that numerous other changes in construction may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A shut-off device for a pressurized container, comprising:

a body member attached to said container and defining a passageway terminating at one end at an outer surface of said body member in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container; anoutward closure member in contact with and movable relative to said outer surface and said container between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member defining opening therethrough of area larger than said discharge orifice at the surface of contact and movable with said closure member into alignment with said discharge orifice to define said exposing position, said opening fully exposing said discharge orifice to allow said orifice alone to last define the shape of the shape of the. discharge steam, said closure member when in position for occluding said orifice having means for sealing said orifice; an actuator member and means operatively intercon necting said actuator member with said closure member for manipulating the latter between said respective positions; and

wedging means for bringing pressure to bear against said closure member when in said orifice occluding position for urging said closure member against said orifice to thereby seal the same.

2. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents of a pressurized container, comprising:

a body member attached to said container and defining a passageway terminating at one end at an outer surface of said body member in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container, said outer surface of said body member being generally frusto-conical;

an outward closure member in contact with and movable relative to said outer surface and said container between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member defining opening therethrough of area larger than said discharge orifice at the surface of contact and movable with said closure member into alignment with said discharge orifice to define said exposing position, said opening fully exposing said discharge orifice to allow said orifice alone to last define the shape of the shape of the discharge steam said closure member when in said orifice occluding position having means for selaing said orifice when urged thereagainst, said closure member having at least a portion with an internal frusto-conical configuration disposed telescopingly about said outer surface of the body member and movable axially relative thereto, the frusto-conical portion of said closure member complementing the frusto-conical surface of said body member for wedging said closure member against said surface as said members are moved axially in the direction relative to each other which causes said closure member to occlude said orifice;

means for manipulating said closure member be-' tween said respective positions; and

means to urge said closure memberto said occluding position.

3. A dispensing valve according to claim 2, wherein said closure member constitutes the lower skirt portion of a spring biased cap structure telescoped over a tubular body member, and said body member comprises a tubular extension adapted to mate with a primary valve assembly of a valve controlled pressure container, whereby when the cap structure is depressed the orifice is exposed before sufficient pressure is applied to open said primary valve assembly.

4. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container comprising in combination a body member containing a passage terminating at one end at an outer surface of the body in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container, a closure member movable relative to said outer surface and said container between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member having a resilient arm for bearing against and sealing said orifice when said closure member occupies said position for occluding said orifice, and means for manipulating said closure member between said respective positions.

5. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container comprising in combination a body member containing a passage terminating at one end at a surface of the body in a discharge oriflce and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of aid container, a closure member movable relative to said surface between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member has/ing a resilient arm for bearing against and sealing said orifice when said closure member occupies said position for occluding said orifice, and means for manipulating said closure member between said respective position, said surface of the body member around said orifice and the end of said arm being complementally spheroidal whereby the end of said arm cooperates therewith with a detent action.

6. A dispensing valve according to claim 5, wherein said closure member comprises a spring biased cap structure telescoped over a tubular body member, and said body member comprises a tubular extension adapted to mate with a primary valve assembly of a valve controlled pressure container, whereby when the cap structure is depressed the orifice is exposed before sufficient pressure is applied to open said primary valve assembly.

7. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container, comprising:

a body member attached to said container and defining a passageway terminating at one end at an outer surface of said body member in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container;

an outward closure member in contact with and movable relative to said outer surface between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice,

said closure member defining opening therethrough of area larger than said discharge orifice at the surface of contact and movable with said closure member into alignment with said discharge orifice to define said exposing position, said opening fully exposing said discharge orifice to allow said orifice alone to last define the shape of the shape of the discharge steam, said closure member in said occluding position having means for bearing against and sealing said orifice;

means for manipulating said closure member between said respective positions; and

means for causing said means for sealing said orifice to bear against said orifice when said closure member is manipulated to said occluding position.

8. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container comprising in combination a body member containing a passage terminating at one end at a surface of the body in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container, a closure member removable relative to said surface between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member when in said position for occluding said orifice having means for bearing against and sealing said orifice, means for manipulating said closure member between said respective positions, and means for causing said means for sealing said orifice to bear against said orifice when said closure member is manipulated to said orifice occluding position, said closure member comprising a spring biased cap structure telescoped over a tubular body member, said cap structure containing a slot extending for a short distance circumferentially in juxtaposition to said orifice when said cap structure occupies said orifice occluding position, said orifice being located in a side wall of said body member, an elastic band surrounding said cap structure lying in said slot so as to project in the vicinity of said slot into the interior of said cap structure for encoun tering said side wall of the body member, and said side wall of the body member being longitudinally tapered along an element passing through said orifice whereby said elastic band is wedged against said orifice when said cap structure moves in the direction to occlude said orifice and is released from said orifice with movement of the cap structure in the opposite direction, said cap structure having a port adjacent said slot which registers with said orifice to expose said orifice when said cap structure is manipulated to said orifice exposing position.

$ 1 t i t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QER'III ICA'IE OF CGRRECTION Patent No; 3, 752, 370 Dated August 14 1973 Invent0r(s) RichardL. Davenport It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In column 1, line 44, change "orice to "orifice".

In column 1, line 61, change '"bettwer" to "better", I

In column 3, line 24, change "telesopingly to telescopingly".

In column 6, line 16, change compaing" to "comparing".

In column 12, line 7, after "ing", insert theword "an".

In column 12, line 13, delete "of the shape".

In column 12, line 13, change "steam" to "stream".

In column 12, line'37,-after' "ing", insert the word "an".

In column 12, line 43, delete "of the shape". I

In column 12, line 43, change "steam" to "stream",v

In column 12, line 45, change se1aing" to "sealing'k' In column 13, line 22, change "aid" to "said";

In column 13, line 29, change "position" to "positions".

In column 14, line 1, after the word "defining", insert the Word "an". In column 14, line 7, delete "the shape".

In Column 14:, line 8, delete "of". I

- In column 14, line 8, change "steam" to "stream".

Signed andsealed this 25th dayo f December 1973.

(SEAL) Attest;

EDWARD M FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Y Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 ((0-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U,S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING QFICEq l5" 0-356-33L 

1. A shut-off device for a pressurized container, comprising: a body member attached to said container and defining a passageway terminating at one end at an outer surface of said body member in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container; an outward closure member in contact with and movable relative to said outer surface and said container between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member defining opening therethrough of area larger than said discharge orifice at the surface of contact and movable with said closure member into alignment with said discharge orifice to define said exposing position, said opening fully exposing said discharge orifice to allow said orifice alone to last define the shape of the shape of the discharge steam, said closure member when in position for occluding said orifice having means for sealing said orifice; an actuator member and means operatively interconnecting said actuator member with said closure member for manipulating the latter between said respective positions; and wedging means for bringing pressure to bear against said closure member when in said orifice occluding position for urging said closure member against said orifice to thereby seal the same.
 2. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents of a pressurized container, comprising: a body member attached to said container and defining a passAgeway terminating at one end at an outer surface of said body member in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container, said outer surface of said body member being generally frusto-conical; an outward closure member in contact with and movable relative to said outer surface and said container between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member defining opening therethrough of area larger than said discharge orifice at the surface of contact and movable with said closure member into alignment with said discharge orifice to define said exposing position, said opening fully exposing said discharge orifice to allow said orifice alone to last define the shape of the shape of the discharge steam said closure member when in said orifice occluding position having means for selaing said orifice when urged thereagainst, said closure member having at least a portion with an internal frusto-conical configuration disposed telescopingly about said outer surface of the body member and movable axially relative thereto, the frusto-conical portion of said closure member complementing the frusto-conical surface of said body member for wedging said closure member against said surface as said members are moved axially in the direction relative to each other which causes said closure member to occlude said orifice; means for manipulating said closure member between said respective positions; and means to urge said closure member to said occluding position.
 3. A dispensing valve according to claim 2, wherein said closure member constitutes the lower skirt portion of a spring biased cap structure telescoped over a tubular body member, and said body member comprises a tubular extension adapted to mate with a primary valve assembly of a valve controlled pressure container, whereby when the cap structure is depressed the orifice is exposed before sufficient pressure is applied to open said primary valve assembly.
 4. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container comprising in combination a body member containing a passage terminating at one end at an outer surface of the body in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container, a closure member movable relative to said outer surface and said container between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member having a resilient arm for bearing against and sealing said orifice when said closure member occupies said position for occluding said orifice, and means for manipulating said closure member between said respective positions.
 5. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container comprising in combination a body member containing a passage terminating at one end at a surface of the body in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of aid container, a closure member movable relative to said surface between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member having a resilient arm for bearing against and sealing said orifice when said closure member occupies said position for occluding said orifice, and means for manipulating said closure member between said respective position, said surface of the body member around said orifice and the end of said arm being complementally spheroidal whereby the end of said arm cooperates therewith with a detent action.
 6. A dispensing valve according to claim 5, wherein said closure member comprises a spring biased cap structure telescoped over a tubular body member, and said body member comprises a tubular extension adapted to mate with a primary valve assembly of a valve controlled pressure container, whereby when the cap structure is depressed the orifice is exposed before sufficient pressure is applied to open said primary valve assembly.
 7. A dispensIng valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container, comprising: a body member attached to said container and defining a passageway terminating at one end at an outer surface of said body member in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container; an outward closure member in contact with and movable relative to said outer surface between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member defining opening therethrough of area larger than said discharge orifice at the surface of contact and movable with said closure member into alignment with said discharge orifice to define said exposing position, said opening fully exposing said discharge orifice to allow said orifice alone to last define the shape of the shape of the discharge steam, said closure member in said occluding position having means for bearing against and sealing said orifice; means for manipulating said closure member between said respective positions; and means for causing said means for sealing said orifice to bear against said orifice when said closure member is manipulated to said occluding position.
 8. A dispensing valve for controlling the outflow of the contents from a pressurized container comprising in combination a body member containing a passage terminating at one end at a surface of the body in a discharge orifice and having its other end arranged for communicating with the contents of said container, a closure member removable relative to said surface between respective positions exposing and occluding said orifice, said closure member when in said position for occluding said orifice having means for bearing against and sealing said orifice, means for manipulating said closure member between said respective positions, and means for causing said means for sealing said orifice to bear against said orifice when said closure member is manipulated to said orifice occluding position, said closure member comprising a spring biased cap structure telescoped over a tubular body member, said cap structure containing a slot extending for a short distance circumferentially in juxtaposition to said orifice when said cap structure occupies said orifice occluding position, said orifice being located in a side wall of said body member, an elastic band surrounding said cap structure lying in said slot so as to project in the vicinity of said slot into the interior of said cap structure for encountering said side wall of the body member, and said side wall of the body member being longitudinally tapered along an element passing through said orifice whereby said elastic band is wedged against said orifice when said cap structure moves in the direction to occlude said orifice and is released from said orifice with movement of the cap structure in the opposite direction, said cap structure having a port adjacent said slot which registers with said orifice to expose said orifice when said cap structure is manipulated to said orifice exposing position. 